Product Description
Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) (CAS No. 616-38-6) is a colorless, transparent organic liquid with a mild characteristic odor. It has a low melting point, moderate boiling point, and excellent chemical stability, making it widely applicable as a solvent and synthesis reagent.
DMC is a flammable but low-toxicity compound with excellent compatibility with many organic solvents, including alcohols, ketones, and esters. It shows limited solubility in water while maintaining strong performance in organic reaction systems.
Due to its unique chemical structure and environmentally favorable properties, dimethyl carbonate is widely recognized as a versatile green reagent. It can replace conventional toxic methylating agents in many organic synthesis processes and is commonly used for the methylation of aniline, phenolic compounds, and carboxylic acids.
In industrial production, DMC is mainly manufactured through catalytic oxidative carbonylation of methanol in the presence of oxygen, providing a more sustainable production method with reduced environmental impact.
With its combination of low toxicity, excellent solvent properties, and versatile chemical reactivity, dimethyl carbonate is an important material for organic synthesis, coatings, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and specialty chemical industries.
Dimethyl carbonate Chemical Properties
| Melting point | 2-4 °C (lit.) |
| Boiling point | 90 °C (lit.) |
| density | 1.069 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.) |
| vapor density | 3.1 (vs air) |
| vapor pressure | 18 mm Hg ( 21.1 °C) |
| refractive index | n20/D 1.368(lit.) |
| Fp | 65 °F |
| storage temp. | Store below +30°C. |
| solubility | 139g/l |
| form | Liquid |
| color | <50(APHA) |
| Odor | Pleasant |
| explosive limit | 4.22-12.87%(V) |
| Water Solubility | 139 g/L |
| Sensitive | Moisture Sensitive |
| Merck | 143241 |
| BRN | 635821 |
| Dielectric constant | 3.17 |
| Stability: | Stable. Highly flammable. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, potassium t-butoxide. |
| InChIKey | IEJIGPNLZYLLBP-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| LogP | 0.23-0.354 at 20-25℃ |
| CAS DataBase Reference | 616-38-6(CAS DataBase Reference) |
| NIST Chemistry Reference | Carbonic acid, dimethyl ester(616-38-6) |
| EPA Substance Registry System | Carbonic acid, dimethyl ester (616-38-6) |
Safety Information
| Hazard Codes | F |
| Risk Statements | 11 |
| Safety Statements | 9-16-2017/9/16 |
| RIDADR | UN 1161 3/PG 2 |
| WGK Germany | 1 |
| RTECS | FG0450000 |
| Autoignition Temperature | 458 °C |
| TSCA | Yes |
| HS Code | 2920 90 10 |
| HazardClass | 3 |
| PackingGroup | II |
| Hazardous Substances Data | 616-38-6(Hazardous Substances Data) |
| Toxicity | LD50 in rats (g/kg): 13.8 orally; 2.5 dermally; LC50 (4 hr) in rats (mg/l): 140 by inhalation (Ono) |
Applications of Dimethyl Carbonate CAS No. 616-38-6
Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is a versatile green chemical widely used in organic synthesis, industrial solvents, energy materials, and specialty chemical manufacturing due to its low toxicity, excellent solvency, and high chemical reactivity.
Organic Synthesis and Solvent Applications
Dimethyl carbonate is widely used as an environmentally friendly solvent in organic synthesis and chemical processing. It can serve as an alternative to traditional solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), tert-butyl acetate, and other conventional organic solvents, offering improved environmental compatibility.
Polycarbonate and Chemical Intermediate Applications
DMC is an important intermediate in the production of diphenyl carbonate, which is a key raw material for manufacturing Bisphenol-A polycarbonate. Its application supports the development of high-performance polymer materials.
Green Methylation Applications
As an efficient and environmentally preferable methylating reagent, dimethyl carbonate is widely used in the methylation of compounds such as aniline, phenols, and carboxylic acids. It provides a safer alternative to traditional methylating agents, including dimethyl sulfate and methyl halides.
Energy and Battery Applications
Due to its high oxygen content and favorable chemical properties, DMC can be used as a fuel additive to improve combustion performance. It is also applied in electrochemical fields, including supercapacitors and lithium battery electrolyte systems.
Eco-Friendly Chemical Applications
Dimethyl carbonate is recognized as a green chemical reagent that can replace more hazardous materials in various synthesis processes. It serves as an alternative to phosgene in methoxycarbonylation and carbonylation reactions, contributing to cleaner and more sustainable chemical manufacturing.
With its excellent solvent performance, low environmental impact, and broad application range, dimethyl carbonate plays an important role in organic synthesis, polymer production, energy storage, and green chemical technologies.
